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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2010 > August > 08 > Entry
Bring on the Cards and let the fun begin
UNSOLICITED OBSERVATIONS from The Man Cave while marveling at the poise and ability of Cincinnati Reds rookie left-hander Travis Wood, who in two starts against the Chicago Cubs has made the tight confines of Wrigley Field look like the state of Montana:
So all the props are in place at center stage for The Big Showdown between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds Monday Tuesday and Wednesday. It is certainly an exciting time for the Reds, an argument for first place in mid-August, something that hasn’t happened on the banks of the Ohio River since 1999.
Remember this, though. It isn’t the end-all. It won’t decide the fate of either team. If the Reds sweep, it doesn’t mean it’s over. If the Reds are swept, it doesn’t mean it’s over. There still will be a month-and-a-half of baseball to be played - tons of time for lots positive and lots negative to unfurl.
But it will be fun. And the pitching match-ups are outstanding, starting Monday with rookie Mike Leake against Chris Carpenter, 7-0 for his career against the Reds. Then it is Johnny Cueto against rookie Jaime Garcia on Tuesday, followed by Bronson Arroyo against Adam Wainwright on Wednesday afternoon.
I was astounded to hear late Sunday afternoon that there are still tickets remaining, even some good tickets. That amazes me, especially when the moribund Chicago Cubs fill up Wrigley every day to watch some gosh-awful baseball. With apologies to Kermit, it ain’t easy being a Cubs fan.
The Reds swept three from the Cubs this weekend after taking two of three in Pittsburgh - losing one game by one run. They did what they needed to do on the trip against two teams who have given up - they didn’t let down and they played hard every out of every inning and were 5-1 on the trip.
CUBS MANAGER Lou Piniella isn’t a quitter, but he has announced his retirement after this season and who could blame him if he walked into his office Sunday night and said, “That’s it. I’m done. No use finishing this thing.”
Clearly, the Cubs have quit. Their body language says it all, “Let’s just get this over with.” They play defense like their gloves have five thumbs. They had chances to turn double plays four times Sunday and didn’t turn one.
THEN YOU look at the other side of the field and you have 25 guys playing as if every game is Game Seven of the World Series.
Manager Dusty Baker’s magic touch with the lineup cards continues to be something David Copperfield would perform.
On Sunday, he gave scorching hot third baseman Scott Rolen the day off, even though two of his regular infielders were absent. Shortstop Orlando Cabrera is on the disabled list. Brandon Phillips fouled a ball off his shin Saturday and took Sunday off, but is supposed to play Monday. After sitting out nearly a week in a 1 for 37 slump, Drew Stubbs played Saturday and had three hits, including a home run and a double. On Sunday he sat.
It didn’t matter one iota.
Third baseman Juan Francisco drove in two runs, one in each at-bat in which he didn’t get a hit. And he made a wild throw that let in two runs during an 11-4 victory. Strikeouts and defense are his shortcomings right now, but it is obvious the guy can hit a baseball a long, long way.
Shortstop Paul Janish, showing the offense he needs to play more often, had two more hits and drove in a run.
Right fielder Jay Bruce, who had one hit in the first five games on the trip, had three hits and drove in two runs, including a two-out, two-run double in the first inning that gave the Reds a 2-0 lead.
Jonny Gomes walked his first four times up and scored all four times, the first time a Cincinnati played has walked four times and scored four runs since Joe Morgan did it in 1977. On his fifth at-bat, Gomes singled.
Joey Votto also scored four runs and cracked a monstrous home run to left field and is now tied with teammate Brandon Phillips for league leadership in runs scored.
Chris Heisey, starting for Stubbs, was hit by pitches twice and scored the game’s first run and added a single.
AND PROBABLY the biggest thing of all, the Reds had a big enough lead that Coco Codero wasn’t needed - and it would have been interesting to see if Baker had used him in a save situation after Cordero was removed in the ninth inning of a save situation Saturday and nearly blowing a save situation Friday.
Then there was Wood. Amazing. Absolutely astounding. Too bad he can’t pitch against the Cardinals.
Wood took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before giving up a solid single with one out to catcher Koyie Hill.
Things sort of fell apart for him in the seventh with Francisco’s error adding to the mayhem. With the Reds leading, 8-0, Jeff Baker led the seventh with a home run. Derek Lee walked and Aramis Ramirez doubled. Marlon Byrd grounded to third for what should have been the first out, but after Francisco fielded it cleanly, took a couple of hop steps to set himself, he threw the ball into the stands and two runs scored.
Alfonso Soriano flied to the wall in left and Xavier Nady doubled to make it 8-4. Baker decided enough was enough and brought in Bill Bray. He struck out Hill and got pinch-hitter Carlos Zambrano to ground out weakly to the mound.
Rookie Jordan Smith pitched the eighth and the ninth and retired the final six Cubs. And where would the Reds be without rookie bullpenners Smith and Logan Ondrusek?
Now it is St. Louis time. Remember, it is a three-game series that should have Great American Ball Park rumbling on its foundation. One fear. With tickets available, rest assured there will be loads of Cardinals fans in the stands, too. That shouldn’t happen.
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By Believe It
August 16, 2010 11:55 AM | Link to this
“Two wrongs do not make a right”!
By Believe It
August 16, 2010 11:55 AM | Link to this
“Two wrongs do not make a right”!
By Believe It
August 16, 2010 11:50 AM | Link to this
“Two wrongs do not make a right”!
By Worn Cleat
August 10, 2010 1:25 PM | Link to this
I agree with your perceptions,JimT. I watched uncomfortably from my recliner—at least I was in air conditioning. 2 of three, will do for me.Ya gotta get one of those shade seats!
By jim t
August 10, 2010 9:16 AM | Link to this
Worn Cleat, the heat was unbearable. I don’t know if this old man can take the wed. afternoon game. The kids may have to pick me up at the bar. One inning did them in last night. they hit a few at em balls and the Cards strung some good at bats togather and it was over with carpenter on the hill.Edmonds hit a few screamers but they were flagged down. I was impressed with Bruce’s approach at the plate last night. He didn’t seem to be chasing balls in the dirts even when behind in the count. It is always a good sign when when you have a few good takes in a at bat.Lets get 2 of 3.
By Worn Cleat
August 9, 2010 4:41 PM | Link to this
Well, I cannot say that it isn’t something that I secretly wished for, if he could not start for the Reds!I will now have only Stubbs Edmonds and Heisey and Bruce to root for—oh, and My friend JimT who was looking out for my ‘gasket’. haha. Thanks for thinking of me JimT; it’s sorta like a knife to my heart—but I’m happy for you, if it works out for the Reds, in getting them into the playoffs. Jocketty has made some great moves{some not so great—but I will hope this is a great one}. Go Edmonds! Go Stubbs! Go Bruce! Go Reds!!!!!!!!Go JimT—bring home THREE WINS!!!!
By Wizard
August 9, 2010 4:30 PM | Link to this
My emotions: Da__! Great move!Always loved that guy—Dickerson AND Edwards!If it helps my Reds, I will praise Mr. Jocketty for a fantastic maneuver!I will also be watching MY MAN Dickerson from afar—hoping he does what I always thought he would!!!! Good luck too all!!!!
By hawks18
August 9, 2010 3:56 PM | Link to this
“Just traded Dickerson for Jim Edmonds. We are becoming St. Louis East.” We have 4 former cardinals (Rolen, Edmonds, Isringhausen, Springer).. but don’t forget the cardinals have 4 former Reds - Kyle Lohse, Dennys Reyes, Jason LaRue, and Felipe Lopez. And they fired Jocketty so its whatever.
By jim t
August 9, 2010 3:46 PM | Link to this
Somebody quick get over to Worn Cleats house he is going to blow a gasket.
By Jack
August 9, 2010 1:58 PM | Link to this
Just traded Dickerson for Jim Edmonds. We are becoming St. Louis East.
By dude
August 9, 2010 9:08 AM | Link to this
Joe, you were really sharp to catch that. Except, both teams play the same schedule. So, through all those patsy teams, the cards are one worse than the Reds. Actually it’s two, but I will give you the half game from the rain out yesterday.
By Brian McCoy
August 9, 2010 7:25 AM | Link to this
Hey Darryl…I’m assuming you speak of Yuengling. If so, Ill take a case. Just drop it off at dad’s and I’ll pick it up. Look forward to this series. Go Reds.
By joe
August 9, 2010 7:10 AM | Link to this
Sorry Reds fans. The Cardinals will sweep and the Reds season will be downhill thereafter. The Reds have beat up on patsy teams thus far.
By Gary Maloy
August 9, 2010 2:55 AM | Link to this
If the Reds manage a sweep, the Cardinals will be five games back. Sure, it’s early yet, but I imagine they’ll feel the pressure in their pooholes. :D
By J
August 9, 2010 12:34 AM | Link to this
Man, I hate sharing GABP with fans of the other team. They shouldn’t be allowed in our park. I hate them being there. They’re annoying. I hope the Reds shut them up.
By Herbert
August 8, 2010 10:56 PM | Link to this
Once the Reds finish this series, the 16 games they have left with the seven NL teams with highest winning percentages are all on the road; for the Cards, 14 of the 18 games they have left with the same teams are at home. A 12th winning series in the last 14 is pretty important …
By Mike-Cinci
August 8, 2010 10:34 PM | Link to this
Hal is right…again! This STL series will mean nothing unless something disastous happens. Who plays best over the last 50 games means everything. I will agree that any team losing all 3 in this series would be in psycho trouble. I expect the series with the Cards will be a sellout. This is good news. The fans will show up. Comparing southwest Ohio to Chicago is not fair to the potential differences in population that have access to each ball park. I love Chicago because it is a tourist designation,(a great town), has 4 times the number of people within 40 miles of Wrigley than near GABP, has hundreds of wonderful restaurants, more dollars, and much bigger businesses. Dayton, Louisville, SE Indiana, and Cincinnati have great baseball fans and I would not trade them ever for Cubs, Cards, Reds Sox, or Yankees fans.
By darryl
August 8, 2010 6:30 PM | Link to this
Hal, can’t wait for this series. Just returned fro W.V. with some of your favorite beverage. Play ball!